Issues: Budget

Program Sponsored by Senator Young Supports Better Health, Local Farmers

ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) announced today that funding included in this year’s state budget will provide free farm-fresh fruits and vegetables from area farmers’ markets to seniors in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Livingston Counties.

ALBANY – The highly successful Food for Thought Culinary Arts program, operated by Cattaraugus Community Action (CCA), will be able to continue providing a 15-week training program for low-income youth and displaced adults thanks to funding supplied by the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

ALBANY – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) has announced that she secured state assistance for invasive species prevention for Chautauqua Lake.

As part of this year’s state budget, Senator Young successfully obtained a $100,000 grant for the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA), to support the organization’s ongoing battle against invasive aquatic species that can wreak havoc on the lake if not controlled.

Focus is on improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases

ALBANY – Improvements to the methods of preventing, diagnosing, and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, along with legislation to help stop the spread of the deer tick population, recently passed the state Senate.

The legislative package was the result of work done by the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases, to which Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) was appointed earlier this year, and is aimed at addressing the rising public health crisis.

Funding will promote business growth, likely create eight new jobs in the next three years

ALBANY – Spherical Block, LLC, an Allegany County manufacturer, expects to see job growth and expanded operations as a result of funding assistance provided through the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

As part of the 2015-16 State Budget, Senator Young personally advocated for the restoration of funding that supports the mission of the Workforce Development Institute following Governor Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate the program. The enacted budget restored $5 million in funding for the program.

Legislation Sponsored by Senator Young Will Boost Patients Access to Needed Dental Services

ALBANY – New Yorkers, especially those who live in rural communities, will soon have greater access to medical care, especially specialists who focus on unique diseases, and faster, more convenient treatment options. Under the new legislation, authored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean), telehealth services, which were opened earlier this year in New York, will now be expanded to include dental healthcare professionals.

Funding will promote job and business growth, employee retention and promotion

ALBANY – Two Chautauqua County manufacturers will be able to retain and promote existing employees, and potentially expand operations, as a result of funding provided through the Workforce Development Institute (WDI), a program championed by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

Initiatives strengthen connections between local farmers and consumers

ALBANY – Providing the tools and incentives needed for success, the State Senate this week continued their ongoing effort to ensure that New York’s vibrant agriculture sector remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy.

As part of the Senate’s efforts to ensure the heritage of family farming continues from generation to generation, legislation sponsored by Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- Olean) was approved to help plan and develop new avenues for farmers to market their goods.

“I applaud the Cattaraugus County Legislature for giving the green light for the old Route 219 bridge replacement. Construction of a new state-of-the-art bridge will be extremely beneficial to Western New York because it will stimulate economic growth by creating new, good-paying jobs and providing greater access to broadband service, preserve the local economy, and give residents on both sides of the Cattaraugus Creek access to emergency care and shopping they need and deserve.”

On this program of Your Voice, I talk about the bills and policy measures that will be negotiated during the final three weeks of Legislative Session. I also explain my efforts to ensure that the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) plan will provide ratepayers with safe, reliable energy.

Finally on the program, I provide more details about legislation that would allow pension service credit buyback for certain veterans.

During this week's edition of "Your Voice with Senator Catharine Young," she discussed the impact the 2015-16 State Budget will have on seniors in our community. The budget includes funding for many key programs seniors rely upon every day. These include:

- $27.8 million for Community Services for the Elderly Program;

- $26.6 million for Alzheimer’s programs;

-$945,000 for Lifespan for Elderly Abuse, Education and Outreach;

- $172,000 for the New York Foundation for Seniors Home Sharing and Respite; and

Senator David Carlucci (D – Rockland/Westchester) honored Dream “The Dreamster” Shepherd at the New York State Senate’s annual “Woman of Distinction” ceremony on May 6, 2015 in Albany, NY.

The Women of Distinction Ceremony is an annual event that honors leading women from across the state for their achievements in business, academics and civics, as well as those who have performed heroic or selfless acts, made significant discoveries or provided examples of personal excellence against difficult odds.

Dream Shepherd, an Ossining resident, was born with sickle cell disease. The hereditary blood disorder resulted in complications for Dream, including chronic pain and a stroke at five years old.

During this week’s appearance on “Your Voice with Senator Catharine Young,” the Senator discussed some of the positive results for her district in the 2015-16 State Budget. This year’s budget makes a strong investment in rural broadband service, provides record levels of funding for our local schools and includes significant tax relief for local property tax payers.

As the Democratic Conference's ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Krueger is pleased to make the Democratic Conference's Adopted Budget Summary for SFY 2015-16 available to the public.

The CARE Act ensures caregivers are involved in and educated about their loved one’s medical needs

ALBANY – With more and more Americans requiring long term care each year, Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) and her Senate colleagues this week moved to ensure family caregivers receive consultation in the treatment of a loved one, as well as training to assist with post-release care tasks.

The CARE Act is an important step toward improving the quality of care for patients when they are released from the hospital, and will help cut down on the estimated $17 billion in Medicare funds spent each year nationally on hospital readmissions.

The New York State Senate will be celebrating Earth Week by acting upon an extensive package of 27 bills that would create new protections for natural resources, promote energy conservation, help create green jobs, and increase tourism through enhanced recreational opportunities. Senate Majority Leader Dean G.

COOPERSTOWN, 04/20/15 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that the 2015-2016 state budget includes, at his insistence, $300,000 to assist The Glimmerglass Festival with a significant multi-year renovation project in Cooperstown.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, New York State Senators Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda), Catharine Young (R,I,C – Olean), Rich Funke (R,C,I – Fairport), and Thomas Croci (R – Sayville) today announced that they succeeded in securing an additional $4.6 million in funding in the 2015-16 state budget to help victims of rape and sexual violence.

The Senators led a bipartisan group of members from the Republican and Independent Democratic Conferences in efforts to secure a total of nearly $6.5 million in state funding for rape crisis services for victims and programs that prevent sexual assault.

(Middletown, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) announced that the 2015-2016 State Budget includes the repeal of 57 onerous fees, which would save New York State $3 million annually. These fees place an undue burden on Hudson Valley businesses and farms, and make it harder to remain profitable and competitive.